I had a 7 cm lump in left breast. Cancerous + in 3 lympnodes. Cancer came back 1 year later on same breast wall after masectomy, chemo & tomoxifan. I figure I had the lump for 3 years before properly diagnosed. Now with this information, how many years statisticly would one expect to survive?

FROM OUR EXPERTS

Elaine, EVERY woman is different. If cancer came back in your chest wall, rather than in a new location in yourbody, that's "good" - that's a recurrence, not a metastasis. No one can predict anyone's life span; statistics just give broad-range views. I agree, live your life and don't try to predict the end of it; it's not useful. AND if you really want to explore fully where you are statistically, you'd have to ask your doctor, as it involves a whole lot of information we don't have here.

"Am I cured?" is a piece you might be interested in. Best of luck, Elaine - PJH

FROM OUR COMMUNITY

Elaine - I agree with PJ - but know that these days cancer does not mean death. We can survive this!

At just 31 I was diagnosed with my first breast cancer. I had a mastectomy after the lumpectomy did not have clear margins. Now just 3 yrs later it has retunred. My plastic surgeon found suspicious looking scar tissue within my breast muscle (near where my original tumor had been found.) He removed the piece and it came back + for cancer and once again had no clear margins. I just had surgery on the 22nd to have more muscle removed, and expect to spend my summer going through radiation and chemo. Not happy that it ruined my summer plans for my daughter, but I know I WILL BEAT THIS! Juat keep in touch with an oncologist so they can test your blood and change your meds as new trials and medical advice comes out. You'll make it. Stay positive and on top of your medical info - follow your dr's orders, take your meds, try to be healthy and you will beat this!

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